As the success of the GHG Foundation carries on, the Montreal Canadiens continue to play a big part in making a difference, as they look to relay their knowledge of the importance of physical activity to youngsters not only within the city but with those throughout Canada. 

With that being said, the team's regular routine was slightly twisted as they traveled to Laval on Monday morning where they joined the GHG Foundation for the unveiling of their seventh outdoor ice rink at Park Amile.

The Habs were also given the opportunity to skate alongside many kids who showed up with their families, as all were invited to participate in the inauguration. 

This would be the second time that the club has been outside for an event, as they also played outdoors at Gillette Stadium on New Years Day during a Winter Classic matchup against the Boston Bruins. 

In a statement from team owner Geoff Molson regarding the importance of physical activity, he said, "Physical activity is key to the development of our youth and this seventh rink, here in Laval, will provide this community and its children with a place to come together, be active and have fun year-round."

With regards to the new rink, Molson said, “Yeah, it’s a little colder than the Winter Classic, but just as fun. And this is a great event for this community. It’s our seventh rink that we’ve built and we’re really proud of it and we’re going to be building more in the future as well.

“Hundreds, if not thousands of kids are going to come here to skate, some for the first time. It’s a great gift to a great community.

“It means that lots of kids are going to have a chance to skate when they might not have had that chance otherwise. We’ve also equipped the locker room here with a whole bunch of skates and sticks and helmets for the kids. Over the course of the past 10 years or so that we’ve been building these things, over 200,000 kids have come out and skated and that’s wonderful.”

Once the unveiling came to a close, the team opened the floor to forty lucky elementary school kids who joined in on their practice to play with the pros on the new rink, which has been built according to NHL standards and dimensions.

In a statement from P.K. Subban, he said, “To be a part of it and come out here and withstand the cold an hour or so is very easy for us.”

Brendan Gallagher also had the chance to speak where he said, “A lot of kids are going to grow up and have a lot of memories for when they get older.” 

The Canadiens are scheduled to open an eighth community rink next year in Sherbrooke as part of its BLEU BLANC BOUGE program presented by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, who continue to be recognized for their outstanding efforts and contributions through a partnership which started back in 2000.

The team's next game will take place on Thursday night at the Bell Centre as the Chicago Blackhawks roll into town for the last of a three game home stand where the Habs will look to close it out in winning style.

The Habs have not been on the good side of things lately as December presented them with a month long struggle, which they look to turn around in the near future. As of right now, they find themselves in a fight just to keep a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

While looking at how the team has performed thus far into the season, Molson said, “You always want to win, but you have to understand that it’s an 82 game season and there are going to be good moments and bad moments. We just happen to be going through a difficult time right now, but I’m confident that our players can get out of this.

“I think that what’s missing is just a little confidence and we have a really good core group of leaders on this team and hopefully they’re going to find a way out of it.”

If not, things could get real ugly — and fast.

With Canadiens fans starting to loose their patience, head coach Michel Therrien is keeping his eyes out for guys who may fit the acquisition bill as GM Marc Bergevin's only worry is the payroll. 

While talking about the job that Bergevin has displayed in Montreal, Molson said, “When times are good and when times are bad, we’re on the phone almost every day talking about the state of the organization, the team and whatever else is an important subject.”

Molson does not speak regularly with Therrien as he likes to keep the team's business mainly within the front office. However, Bergevin and Therrien keep in touch as he relays information to the coaching staff for further analysis and opinion as to what the next steps are for this struggling organization.

The team returns to normal action indoors on Tuesday morning, as they will be back at the training facility working to change things up. Montreal will get ready to hit the road for two games following Thursday's match, which will be followed up by an on and off schedule for the remainder of the month before starting a four-game home stand on Wednesday, February 3rd.